-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 TYhZZMW6FqYqpsBntv4C6GM4D4iRYvYOBWhevuVvnlp/aJLOtKfjgQQwTB2APlSv
 MugN+D0eTqsMCj1b4zyjAg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001196551-08-000002.txt : 20080527
<SEC-HEADER>0001196551-08-000002.hdr.sgml : 20080526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080527154710
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001196551-08-000002
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080527
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080527
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080527

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STERLING CHEMICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001014669
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC CHEMICALS [2860]
		IRS NUMBER:				760502785
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 CLAY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-4109
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136503700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 CLAY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002-4109

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	STX CHEMICALS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19960516

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GENOVA JOHN V
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001276894

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-50132
		FILM NUMBER:		08860723

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7136549510

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		333 CLAY STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3600
		CITY:			HOUSTON
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77002
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-05-27</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001014669</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STERLING CHEMICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SCHI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001276894</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>GENOVA JOHN V</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>333 CLAY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 3600</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HOUSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77002</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President and CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.60</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-05-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>120000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option vests in three equal annual installments beginning on 5/27/09</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/John Genova</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-05-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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